2021-2022 Mullan Road
New Staff
Administration

Alyssa Crabtree: Principal Assistant

My name is Alysa Crabtree, and I had the opportunity to work at Mullan Road this past school year and will be returning as a Principal Assistant. I was born and raised in Spokane and attended Whitworth University, where I met my Husband (Drew). I enjoy traveling the world, spending time with family and friends, and playing with our dog (Zeus).

I have taught Kindergarten, and 2nd Grade, as well as coaching college Cheerleading for 8 years at Whitworth University. My passion is working with children as well as coaching and mentoring staff. I am excited to be a part of the Mullan Road team again for the 2021-2022 school year.
Kindergarten
Kate Branciforte

Hello Trailblazers! I am thrilled to join the Mullan Road Kindergarten team. I have been teaching Kindergarten and First Grade in the Bay Area since 2005. Helping kids learn to read and write is absolute magic. 
After 16 years in San Francisco, my family and I are relocating to my hometown of Spokane to be closer to family. My daughter Lila will be a first grader, and my son Charlie will be entering his last year of preschool. We are excited to explore our new city and become involved in our community. 
We are outdoor enthusiasts. My family loves to hike, stand-up paddle board, and bike as our main form of transportation. We are also big Spokane Indians fans. Although my kids are mostly there for Otto and Doris. 
I can’t wait to meet my new group of Kindergarteners in the fall!
Amber Guzman

Hello! My name is Amber Guzman and I’m so excited to be joining Mullan Road for another year! I received my teaching credential and master’s degree in Southern California, where I have lived most of my life. I have experience teaching reading intervention and kindergarten; and I’ve also worked in the field of applied behavior analysis as a therapist and program supervisor. My fiancé, our two cats, and I moved to Spokane last summer and I have been so fortunate to find myself part of the Mullan Road community. When I’m not teaching, I love to spend my time catching up with family and friends, reading, doing yoga, hiking, exploring, and trying new things. 
1st Grade
Julian San German

Hello! My name is Julian San German and I am teaching 1st grade next year at Mullan Road. I graduated from Eastern Washington University in March of 2020 with an Elementary Education endorsement. I have been subbing since January of this year and was blessed with this opportunity. When I am not working, I like to watch sports and do weightlifting in my garage. I love spending time with the people I care about, especially my family. With my girlfriend and 6-month son we travel, go on walks, visit family, or just relax at home. 
I am grateful in joining Mullan Road Elementary and look forward to working with everyone and being a part of the Mullan Road team! 
Christina Hunziker

Hello Staff and Families,
My name is Christina Hunziker and I'm thrilled to be joining the first grade team at Mullan Road. I graduated from Eastern Washington University in 2008 with a M.Ed in Elementary Education. I've been a classroom teacher for approximately ten years. I took a couple years off to teach abroad in Japan and work with ELL students in San Diego. I am passionate about literacy and creating fun learning experiences in the classroom. In my free time, I enjoy spending time in the garden, exploring the outdoors, and going to the park with my dog Frank. I can't wait to meet everyone in the Fall!
 Go Trail Blazers!
2nd Grade
Molly Ward  

Hello! My name is Molly Ward, and I am so excited to join the Mullan Road staff as a second-grade teacher next year! I have taught for six years and have taught third and fourth grade. I also served as the PBIS coach at Ridgeview Elementary and have enjoyed coaching cross country and participating in other extracurricular activities at school. My husband and I both grew up on the south hill (he is actually a former Trailblazer) and are excited to put our roots down on the south hill again. When I‘m not teaching, I love reading, spending time with family, and going on walks with our golden retriever Rudy. I am excited to work with all of you and join the Mullan Road community!
Marcoantonio Caballero

Hello everyone! My name is Marcoantonio Caballero and I will be teaching 2 Grade this year. I was raised in the small farming community in Waterville, WA, where I graduated high school in 2013. I attended school at EWU (Go Eags) where I majored in Spanish Elementary Education. This is my second year as a teacher. I taught 2-3 last year here at Mullan and look forward to another great year!
 
My hobbies include fishing, hiking and traveling to new places! I am excited to continue working alongside all of you after an unforgettable and crazy year. Go trailblazers! 
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3rd Grade
Luke Rettele

I grew up in Texas and have made Spokane my home for the last 12 years. I've taught at Arlington Elementary for 4 years and was a 4th Grade teacher at Finch Elementary for 6 years. I have an amazing daughter, Ella, who lives in Colorado and will turn 17 this July. I am getting married this summer to Julie Shogan. I like to spend my time trail running, exploring the PNW and reading books. 
Carly Pickering

Hello! My name is Carly Pickering and I am very excited to be teaching 3rd grade at Mullan Road next year. I grew up in Las Vegas, NV, and came to Spokane to attend Whitworth. I have four amazing kids who will be spread out at 3 different schools next year (elementary, junior high and high school!). My husband, Neal, is a Nurse Practitioner at Deaconess.
 
I am thrilled to be a part of the Mullan Road community next year and look forward to getting to know all of you!
4th Grade
Robert Lutchendorf – 4th/5th Combo

Hello everyone, I am Rob Lutchendorf, and I will be joining the staff at Mullan Road for the 2021-2022 school year and beyond. I am really excited to start this new chapter. This will be my 4th year teaching elementary in SPS and I have sampled the full spectrum in that short time. I began as a 6th grade ELA teacher at Willard Elementary, was recalled back the next year as a 1st grade teacher at Holmes Elementary, involuntarily transferred this past school year to Jefferson where I taught 4th grade, which has brought me here. Mullan Road is where I have chosen to establish some roots and build. 
A bit about me… I am the proud father of two precocious boys; Wyatt is five and will be starting kindergarten this fall and Wesley will be grabbing age three by the horns this July. My amazing and beautiful wife of 10 years, Yasmeen, is a pediatric ICU nurse at Sacred Heart. We have unintentionally devoted our entire existence to the care of children but would not have it any other way. I started out as a classical musician. I earned my BA in music from EWU and my Masters in Music from the U. of Northern Colorado as a classical trombonist. I then earned my Masters in Teaching from Whitworth in 2018. I enjoy reading, swimming, running, fishing, classical music, Lord of the Rings, Star Wars, Harry Potter, Oxford commas, and my dog Hank.
Again, I am thrilled to be joining the staff at Mullan Road this coming year and cannot wait to get to know you all.
6th Grade
McKenzie Christensen

Hello Mullan Road, I am so excited to be back! For those of you who don’t know me, my name is McKenzie Christensen and I completed my student teaching in Kindergarten at Mullan Road with Suzanne Kusel back in the fall of 2018. I graduated with a bachelors in Elementary Education as well as Health and Fitness education from Eastern Washington University in December of 2018 and since then I have been subbing all around District 81, including spending lots of time in lots of different classrooms at Mullan Road! Most recently, I taught 2nd grade at Finch Elementary School for the last 6 months. 
I am originally from Richland, Washington, but I have lived in Spokane for the last 6 years. Outside of all things education, I love exercising, doing anything artsy and spending time with my Boston Terrier, Jane. I am so excited to be back at Mullan Road and back with the amazing 6th grade team once again. I look forward to working with you all and having an incredible school year with lots of fun!
Primary DI
Amy Violette

I’m Amy Violette, and I’m thrilled to be the new primary DI teacher this coming year at Mullan Road. I graduated from Gonzaga University several years back after completing my student teaching at Sheridan Elementary. After graduation, I was scooped up by the Cheney School District where I began as a resource room teacher. I enjoyed several years in the district, teaching in a variety of special education classrooms. Eventually, I found my way to Spokane Public Schools and most recently taught at Hamblen Elementary. 
Outside of teaching, my fiancée and I love our two dogs. You can typically find us at the dog park every Saturday. I enjoy all things outdoors and look forward to a yearly trip to Maine each summer to visit my parents.
I am excited to join the Mullan Road community this fall. As a special education teacher, I look forward to creating an inclusive environment and being a part of each child’s continued growth and love of learning. 
Building Support Team
Monica Ingham: Mental Health Therapist

Hey everyone! My name is Monica and I am the new Family Mental Health Therapist at Mullan Road! I am a recent graduate from Whitworth University with a degree in Marriage and Family Therapy. I also went to the University of Montana - go Griz! I absolutely love working with children and have worked with them my whole life. When I’m not working, I’m hanging out with my family or friends, my two dogs, or two cats. I do love my animals! I’m very excited to join the team at Mullan Road! Please come say hi, I’m looking forward to meeting you all! 
Katy Vancil: School Counselor

I’m Katy Vancil and I had the pleasure of substituting in the Mullan Road counseling department this past year. Although our year looked very different from years past, the challenges we faced showed us innovative ways to meet the needs of all students. I’m excited to partner with Kara Eckhardt as we expect even more students and more activity happening in the building this coming year.
I have lived in eastern Washington most of my life, with the exception of a five-year stint in Seattle. My husband (JJ), son (Owen, 10), daughter (Nora, 5), and I moved back to Spokane a year ago and we are so happy to be home. We love to spend time outdoors, and enjoy entertaining friends and family at home.
I have high hopes for this coming school year and I’m so excited to be innovative and courageous in how we approach mental health topics at our school. 
Stacy Endress: School Psychologist

Greetings Trailblazers!                                                            
I couldn’t be more excited to join the Mullan Road team! I have worked in SPS for quite a few years and tend to stay put in my buildings, so this is a big but welcome change for me. My partner, Brad and I live close by, so it will be wonderful to be near home base while serving my neighborhood community. Brad is finishing up his OT grad program and the other fella you see in the photo is Vander. He is a certified therapy doodle and has worked at school a bit with students, so maybe he can join the team too! In my off time I love to garden, hike, cook, read and hang with my fellas. Looking forward to meeting everyone and having a great school year! 
Jen Fisher- MTSS Specialist

Hello! I'm Jen Fisher and excited to be a part of the Mullan Road community! I have been in education for 17 years as both a classroom teacher and math intervention specialist. This year I will be taking on a new role as a Multi-Tiered Support Specialist (MTSS) and I am very excited to get started! I am married to my best friend and we have two amazing daughters who are entering 5th and 3rd grades. We also have a very sassy boxer dog named Bob. We spend a lot of our summer up at Priest Lake boating, swimming, hiking, and enjoying the beautiful place we get to call home. In the winters we spend our free time skiing, both downhill and XC. I also love reading, gardening, travel, and participating in triathlons. I'm looking forward to meeting all of the students! 
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Resource
Amy Fortier
Howdy! My name is Amy Fortier (4-Chay) and I am excited to be joining the team at Mullan Road as the Resource Room teacher. This will be my 11th year teaching Special Education, but my second year teaching in Spokane Public Schools. I am originally from Houston, Texas and attended Texas A&M University - Gig’em Aggies. My husband, Hunter, and I have two dogs, Max and Newman, and we enjoy traveling, watching all sports, and trying new restaurants in our free time. I look forward to the upcoming school year and having the opportunity to meet you all soon! 
Specialist
 Nathan Clayton: Health and Fitness

I was born and raised in Spokane and graduated from Shadle Park in 14’. I have always had a passion for athletics and have just finished my 4th year as the boys/girls track and field head coach at SP. I just graduated from the Whitworth Master in Teaching program and had the privilege to student teach this year at Shadle Park and Cooper! In my free time, I love to hangout with family, friends, and my two dogs Uzi and Kobe. 
Ryan Smedley: Science Specialist

Hello Mullan Road Elementary Families and Staff!
My name is Ryan Smedley and I am so excited to be joining your school as a Science Specialist. I am from the nearby city of Cheney. I graduated from Washington State University with a degree in Elementary Education and an endorsement in Middle Level Mathematics. For the last two years, I have taught 3rd and 4th grade in Harrington School District. 
 
I come from a family of 6, 4 of whom are also educators! My dad was a superintendent for many years, and my mom taught elementary school for 40 years. I have 3 siblings, including a twin sister. Some things I enjoy are playing golf, basketball, tennis, spending time with family, and cheering on the WSU Cougars!
 
I look forward to this upcoming school year and to being a part of the Mullan Road Community. 
Mariah Stocky: K-2 Art

Hi, my name is Mariah! I am a Colorado native and just moved here from Denver at the beginning of June. I did my undergrad at Colorado State and got my master's in Elementary Ed from the University of Colorado. I spent two years teaching first grade at a Title I school in Denver and taught art classes in the summers. I love teaching, and art is a huge part of my life, so I am thrilled to have this new fun opportunity to merge my passions.  In my free time, you can find me painting, hiking, or hanging out with my boyfriend Dan, our dog Quinn and our new puppy Otis!  I look forward to meeting you all! I can’t wait to be a part of your community.
Carolina Suarez-Purdum -6th Grade Art

Hello all,
I'm very excited to work with you this year! This is my first year with SPS. I'm from Buenos Aires, Argentina. I moved to Pullman when I was 5 and grew up there. I started my teaching career in Corpus Christi, TX taught art there for 8 years, and then moved back to the PNW to be near family; for the past 2 years, I've been teaching Spanish and art at Pride Prep charter school (HS). I have a BA in Fine Arts from WSU and halfway through a Masters in Ed. Leadership at Eastern. I have two daughters, 6 and 14, and a husband who designs newspapers. In my spare time, I like to karaoke, kayak, run, paint, and read.